2 posts from June 26, 2013

June 26, 2013

Unless he changes his mind between now and July 12, Matt Krook will be headed to the University of Oregon in the fall instead of signing a pro contract with the Marlins. That's because the high-school left-hander didn't pass his team physical with the Marlins, who took him with the 35th overall pick in the draft, and then turned down their reduced offer, sources said.

One way or the other, the Marlins will not be left empty-handed. By subsequently offering the young pitcher 40 percent of the about $1.6 million recommended for that draft slot (or about $650,000), they will automatically receive a competitive balance pick in the 2014 draft to offset the one they'll be giving up if Krook doesn't change his mind about going to Oregon. (By rule, the Marlins must leave their offer to Krook on the table until the July 12 deadline for signing draft picks has passed.)

Krook, who sources say has shoulder-related issues, was selected by the Marlins with a competitive balance pick they received (along with outfielder Gorkys Hernandez) from last year's Gaby Sanchez trade with the Pirates.

Meanwhile, the Marlins are in discussions with their first-round pick, University of North Carolina third baseman Colin Moran, and hope to have a deal worked out "sooner rather than later," according to a source with knowledge of negotiations. The source said the Marlins are confident they can get a deal done before the July 12 deadline with Moran, the sixth overall pick in the June 6 draft.

Derek Dietrich ended an 0-for-17 slump at the plate when he crushed a 415-foot solo home to right field in the seventh inning of Tuesday night's 4-2 come-from-behind win over the Twins.

The Marlins' rookie second baseman is hoping its a sign he's come out of the prolonged slump he's been in over the past three weeks. Since his last two-hit game June 9th against the Mets, Dietrich has gone just 5 for 41 at the plate (.122). He's reached base just three other times (two walks, one error) and struckout 16 times. His batting average is now at .200 through 40 games.

Wednesday, manager Mike Redmond decided to give Dietrich another day off -- his second since Saturday.

"Everybody struggles in this game at one point or another. It's the guys who minimize it that have the most success," Dietrich said Wednesday morning, shortly before the Marlins were set to take the field against the Twins at 12:40 p.m.

"Everybody is going make adjustments and always find a way to get you out a certain amount of time. I've been there before in the minors and in college. The sun always shines after the storm. I feel like if I just stick with it over time I think I know what I can do. The Marlins know what I can do. Just got to keep with it, stay positive and bring excitement and have fun with it each and everyday. The results will come."

Dietrich said he's been thinking too much at the plate and needs to get back feeling relaxed.

Fellow rookie Marcell Ozuna went through a similar slump around the same time as Dietrich, but has hit his way out of it. Dietrich, who celebrated his seventh home run of the season with Ozuna in the Marlins dugout Tuesday, said seeing another young guy snap out of a slump is definitely encouraging.

"I think early on when I was getting on base I was seeing the ball, hitting the ball," he said. "Now, I'm thinking about too much up there what they might do. I just get back to seeing it and hitting it."